PLD with on-chip memory having a shadow

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for initializing and determining the contents of a memory block in a programmable logic device. One apparatus includes a logic element, programmably configurable to implement user-defined combinatorial or registered logic functions, and a memory block to store data. The memory block is coupled to the logic element. The memory block includes a memory storage cell to store a first data bit, a shadow cell to store a second data bit, and a transfer circuit. When a first control line of a transfer circuit is asserted, the second bit is transferred from the shadow cell to the memory storage cell. When a second control line of the transfer circuit is asserted, the first bit is transferred from the memory storage cell to the shadow cell.

[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/748,088, filed Dec. 21, 2000, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/405,376, filed Sep. 24, 1999, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/298,890, filed Apr. 23, 1999 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,730, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/895,516, filed Jul. 16, 1997 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,744, which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The field of the present invention is integrated circuits for implementing reconfigurable logic, such as field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”), that are specially designed for emulation systems. In particular, the present invention is directed to a FPGA having multiple blocks of multiported memory and a special port for taking a synchronous snapshot of the contents of the memory or for loading the memory to an initial state.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Field programmable gate arrays such as those available from Xilinx, Altera, AT&T and others are widely used for implementing various types of logic functions. FPGAs offer an advantage over mask-programmed gate arrays and discrete logic because the logic functions carried out by an FPGA can be easily reprogrammed to meet the user's objectives.

[0004] FPGAs are traditionally structured in a multi-level hierarchy, with simple logic blocks capable of performing the desired logic functions combined together to form more complex blocks, which are then combined to form a complete chip. Designs intended for implementation in FPGAs often include memories. This is especially true in prototyping applications where the designs being prototyped often contain large and complex memories.

[0005] Some FPGAs provide a mechanism for implementing small amounts of memory. For example, the Xilinx 4000 series of FPGAs allow the user to implement thirty-two bits of random-access memory (“RAM”) for each configurable logic block (“CLB”). RAMs can also be constructed using the flip-flop storage elements in the CLBs. Combining these small RAMs into the larger memories found in real designs, however, is difficult, slow, and consumes much of the FPGA routing and logic resources. This problem is particularly severe when the memory to be implemented has multiple ports, especially multiple write ports which require even greater routing resources to satisfy the memory requirements. Routing of memory outputs additionally should not require a sizable expansion in the routing network. A further drawback of the existing devices is the lack of an easy way to observe the contents of the FPGA memories at a selected point in time or to initialize the memories to a predetermined state. The prior art has not effectively resolved these and other issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A first, separate aspect of the present invention is a memory for an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic where the memory allows flexible implementation of various types of large and multiported memories inside the integrated circuit.

[0007] A second, separate aspect of the present invention is a multiported memory for an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic.

[0008] A third, separate aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic having a memory whose width and depth are configurable in a tradeoff fashion.

[0009] A fourth, separate aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic, where the integrated circuit includes a multiported memory wherein the width and depth of each port may be configured independently of the width and depth of the other ports.

[0010] A fifth, separate aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic and including a memory, where the memory includes a register that can read the contents of the memory synchronously such that the data read accurately represents a snapshot of the memory contents at a point in time.

[0011] A sixth, separate aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic and including a memory, where the memory includes a register that can load data into the memory so that the memory is loaded to a predetermined state.

[0012] A seventh, separate aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic, where the circuit includes a logic element, an interconnect network and a memory that uses the logic element to access the interconnect network, thereby alleviating the necessity of adding routing lines to the interconnect network just to satisfy the memory requirements.

[0013] An eighth, separate aspect of the present invention is an integrated circuit for implementing reconfigurable logic, where the circuit includes a logic element, an interconnect network and a memory that shares some but not all of the routing resources used by the logic element so that the logic element may still perform logic functions.

[0014] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a field programmable gate array integrated circuit including a logic element programmably configurable to implement user-defined logic functions, and a configurable memory block coupled to the logic element. The memory is capable of being written to and read from, and has a configurable width and a configurable depth. If the width of the memory is increased, its depth is correspondingly decreased, similarly, if the width is decreased the depth is increased. The memory block includes a write buffer having a plurality of data inputs, a plurality of select lines for selecting one of the plurality of data inputs, a first logic gate having an input coupled to the selected one of the plurality of data inputs, a second logic gate coupled to the select lines, and a third logic gate having an input coupled to an output of the second logic gate.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a field programmable gate array integrated circuit having a logic element programmably configurable to implement user-defined combinatorial or registered logic functions. Also included are a look-up table providing a look-up table output, and a register coupled to the look-up table output and providing a register output. The look-up table output or the register output may be provided as a logic element output. A memory block to store data is coupled to the logic element output, and the memory block includes a write buffer circuit having at least three data inputs, selectively coupled to a first NOR gate by using at least three select inputs, a first logic gate, which receives the select inputs and provides a first logic gate output to the first NOR gate, and a second NOR gate, which receives the first logic gate output.

[0016] Further exemplary methods and apparatus of the present invention provide for the initialization and determination of the contents of a memory block in a programmable logic device. One apparatus includes a logic element, programmably configurable to implement user-defined combinatorial or registered logic functions, and a memory block to store data. The memory block is coupled to the logic element. The memory block includes a memory storage cell to store a first data bit, a shadow cell to store a second data bit, and a transfer circuit. When a first control line of a transfer circuit is asserted, the second bit is transferred from the shadow cell to the memory storage cell. When a second control line of the transfer circuit is asserted, the first bit is transferred from the memory storage cell to the shadow cell.

[0017] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of determining the contents of a memory block in a programmable logic device. The method includes providing the memory block having a plurality of memory storage cells and a corresponding plurality of shadow cells. Data is stored in the plurality of memory storage cells, and transferred to the corresponding plurality of shadow cells. Once transferred, the data is stored in the plurality of shadow cells. The data is then read from the plurality of shadow cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The various objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by considering the Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment which follows together with the drawing Figures, wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a block diagram pinout of a memory block that embodies the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a pulse generator circuit schematic that logically represents the delays in generating a Write strobe signal and a Write Busy signal;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a circuit schematic of a logic element with a memory of the preferred embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 4 is a schematic of a memory storage cell and shadow cell of a memory block;

[0023]FIG. 5 is a schematic of circuitry for generating Read lines for Port A;

[0024]FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a read sense amplifier used to read the data off a data line;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a table that shows where each bit of a data word is written into memory, depending on the selected configuration of the width and depth of the memory;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a table that shows where each bit in memory is read out, depending on the selected configuration of the width and depth of the memory;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a crosspoint array which implements the table of FIG. 8;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram that uses multiple write buffer circuits to generate the Write Data and Write Data Bar control signals; and

[0029]FIG. 11 is a detailed circuit schematic of the write buffer circuit shown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0030] In the preferred embodiment, an FPGA has eight 1K blocks of memory. Each memory block 10 contains 1024 bits of memory which can be organized into four different combinations of width and depth: (a) 1K bits by 1 bit, (b) 512 by 2, (c) 256 by 4, and (d) 128 by 8. Other memory configurations and combinations of width and depth are certainly possible as well.

[0031]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram pinout of one of the memory blocks 10. Each memory block 10 of the preferred embodiment has two read ports 12, 14 and two write ports 16, 18, although other quantities of read and write ports are also foreseen. Each of the four ports operates independently of one another and may be used simultaneously with other ports. If the implementation of a particular memory does not require the memory block 10 to use two read and two write ports, the memory block 10 can be configured as two independent submemories where each submemory has one read and one write port as long as the number of data bits in a submemory suffices for the particular implementation. The memory width/depth tradeoff can be set independently for each port. For example, it is possible to write into individual bits using the 1K by 1 option on a write port and read out bytes using the 128 by 8 option on a read port. As a further example, one read port can be configured with a width/depth option that is different than the width/depth option for the other read port. The number of address and data lines required for each port varies with the various width/depth options as follows: 1K × 1 512 × 2 256 × 4 128 × 8 Write Port Signals Address lines 10  9 8 7 Data In lines 1 2 4 8 Write signal line 1 1 1 1 Write Busy line 1 1 1 1 Total pins/port 13  13  14  17  Read Port Signals Address lines 10  9 8 7 Data Outlines 1 2 4 8 Read Enable line 1 1 1 1 Total pins/port 12  12  13  16  Overall Total pins 50  50  54  66 

[0032] Each of the two read ports 12, 14 has a Read Enable signal 20, 22 respectively. The rising edge of a Read Enable signal 20, 22 samples the read port address from the read address lines 24, 26 and causes data to emerge on the Read Data lines 28, 30 (known as the data-out lines).

[0033] Similarly, each of the two write ports 16, 18 has a Write Enable signal 32, 34. The rising edge of the Write Enable signal 32, 34 samples the write port address from the write address lines 36, 38 and data from the Write Data lines 40, 42 respectively. Internal write strobes are internally generated following a rising edge on Write Enable signals 32, 34 by the write buffer circuit shown in FIG. 10 (which is discussed later). Upon receipt of the rising edge of the Write Enable signal 32, 34, the Write Busy line 44, 46 goes high to signify that data is in the process of being written to memory. When the write process is complete, the Write Busy signal 44, 46 returns to low. The duration of the internal write strobes are relatively short so that the user generally need not pay attention to the Write Busy signals. The Write Busy signals 44, 46 are provided for users who want to use a foolproof semaphore for RAM write timing.

[0034]FIG. 2 illustrates a pulse generator circuit which generates the write strobe or WPulse signal 160, Write Busy signal 44 and the associated delays. A Write Enable signal 32 from the user generates asynchronously the WPulse signal 160 as well as the Write Busy signal 44. When the Write Enable signal 32 from the user rises from low to active high, the circuit generates a high going pulse of duration “Delay1” (symbolically represented by delay1 element 51 in FIG. 2) which is passed to the memory as WPulse 160. A stretched version of this pulse having a duration of “Delay1”+“Delay2” is generated by OR gate 54 and is output as Write Busy 44. Delay2 is symbolically represented by delay2 element 53 in FIG. 2. Delay1 and Delay2 are not necessarily equal in duration. The AND gate 52 and OR gate 54 do not actually exist in the memory circuit, but serve only as logical representations of delays.

[0035] The write address and the write data must both satisfy a brief setup time and a short hold time with respect to the rising edge of the Write Enable signal. The setup and hold times serve to guarantee that the data is written correctly to memory. Each write port has only one Write Enable signal. The read ports do not require a setup time or hold time because data is read asynchronously out of the memory. Data can be written either synchronously or asynchronously into memory.

[0036] Pins from the memory block 10 use the same routing resources as one of the low level logic blocks (“L0s”) in the programmable gate array. Each low level L0 logic block consists of thirty-six logic elements (“LEs”). Each LE within a L0 logic block is connected to an X0 interconnect network (also within the L0 logic block) so that each LE can communicate with other LEs. The X0 interconnect network also allows signals to enter or exit the L0 logic block, thereby permitting communication with the next higher level interconnect network (X1) and higher level logic blocks (L1).

[0037]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a LE logic element 60 preferably used in a FPGA with the described multiport memory. Each LE 60 has four inputs 62 and one output 64 as well as eight low skew clock inputs. The LE output 64 propagates to an X0 interconnect network which in turn leads either back to a LE input 62 or a higher level interconnect network. In this particular embodiment, pins from eighteen of the thirty-six LEs 60 within an L0 block are utilized by a memory block 10. One input to each LE is reserved to serve as a clock or clock enable to the latch 66 of the LE 60. Latch 66 may alternately perform a flip-flop function if desired, depending on the particular logic function to be implemented by the LE 60. The other three LE inputs 62 are available for connecting to three inputs of the associated memory block 10. The assignment of signals to and from the memory block 10 is done in such a way that the LE inputs 62 may be arbitrarily permutated. That is, a given signal may be carried by any one of the four LE input lines 62. This flexible permutation of LE inputs to the memory block 10 is essential for improving the routability of the L0 logic block.

[0038] An LE 60 is connected to a memory block 10 as shown in FIG. 3. In particular, a total of three signals (comprising two of the four LE inputs 62 and the output 67 of the lookup table 68) may propagate to memory block 10. For example, the output 67 of the lookup table 68, the Set input to the latch 66 and the Clear input to the latch 66 may serve as input signals to a memory block 10. Each of these three input signals to the memory block 10 may be used as an address line, a Write Data line, a Write Enable line, a Read Enable line, or another signal of a memory block 10. The Read Data line and Write Busy line are assigned to the output 70 of a memory block 10. The output 70 from a memory block 10 feeds back into the data-in multiplexer 72 of the LE 60. The data-in multiplexer 72 is a three-to-one multiplexer controlled by configuration bits within storage cells 74. The data-in multiplexer 72 sends either the memory output 70, the output 67 of the lookup table 68, or a delayed lookup table output 75 to the D input of the latch 66. If the memory output 70 is not selected, the data-in multiplexer 72 chooses whether to bypass the delay element 76. Delay element 76 serves to insert a programmable delay into the data path within the LE 60 to account for hold time violations. If the memory output 70 is selected by the data-in multiplexer 72, the latch 66 passes the memory output 70 to a data-out multiplexer 78. Data-out multiplexer 78 is a two-to-one multiplexer that is controlled by a configuration bit within storage cell 80. The data-out multiplexer 78 passes the memory output 70 or the output of latch 66 to the X0 interconnect network. By transmitting the memory output 70 through components of the LE 60 (rather than directly) to the X0 interconnect network, additional X0 routing lines are not required to route the memory output. Instead, the memory output 70 simply and advantageously uses part of a LE 60 to reach the X0 interconnect network. Likewise, the memory block 10 can use some of the LE 60's input lines to receive signals and again, additional X0 routing lines are not necessary. Moreover, if only two of the four LE inputs 62 are consumed by the memory function, the remaining LE inputs 62 can still be used by the LE 60 for combinatorial or sequential logic functions. A LE 60 that has some input lines free may still be used to latch data, latch addresses or time multiplex multiple memories to act as a larger memory or a differently configured memory. Therefore, circuit resources are utilized more effectively and efficiently. As shown previously, the memory block 10 requires a maximum of 48 inputs and 18 outputs. Thus, the signals from 18 LEs 60 are sufficient to connect all pins of the memory block 10.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a memory cell circuit 90 of a multiported memory block 10. The memory cell circuit 90 has a memory storage cell 91 that includes two inverters 92, 94 in a series loop which provides a bistable latch configuration. Read line 114 for read port A 12 controls whether the content of the memory storage cell 91 is read out onto Read Data Bar line 28. Likewise, Read line 115 for read port B 14 controls whether the content of the memory storage cell 91 is read out onto Read Data line 30. The desired data appears on the respective Read Data lines which must have been previously at a high level. The Read Data lines may be pulled high through a resistor or alternatively, precharged high. Data is read out of the memory storage cell 91 by placing a high level on a Read Enable line.

[0040] The memory storage cell 91 of a memory block 10 can be loaded with data from either of the two write ports 16, 18. Write line 116 (port C) controls whether data on Write Data line 40 and Write Data Bar line 86 is written into memory storage cell 91; Write line 117 (port D) controls whether data on Write Data line 42 and Write Data Bar line 88 is written into memory storage cell 91. As a measure to guarantee correct writing, data is written into memory storage cell 91 only if (1) the Write Enable line is active and (2) either the Write Data line 40 (or 42) is low or the Write Data Bar line 86 (or 88) is low. Write Data line and Write Data Bar line must be complementary. The “Write Data Bar” signal is also known as the “Write Data-” signal. Signals on the Data lines are inverted with respect to the Data-(Data Bar) lines. If the Write Data and Write Data Bar lines are not driven, the memory storage cell 91 may not be written properly, even if the Write Enable line goes high, thereby resulting in an undefined state.

[0041]FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic that illustrates circuitry to generate Read lines 114. As shown in the example provided by FIG. 5, the Read and Write lines 114-117 are generated from address lines ADR [3:9] 24, 26, 36, 38 and Enable lines 20, 22, 32, 34. Address lines ADR [3:9] feed into a decoder 118 which pass signals to AND gates 119. AND gates 119 also receive the Enable lines; FIG. 5 shows the example of the Read Enable line 20 being sent to the AND gates 119. 128 Read or Write lines are generated for each port to address the 128 rows of memory cell circuits 90. Other types of decoding circuits may also be used, as would be well understood to those skilled in the art of RAM design.

[0042] The memory block 10 is comprised of multiple memory cell circuits 90. Each memory cell circuit 90 has a shadow cell 100. The shadow cells 100 within memory cell circuits 90 together form a shadow register. Each memory block 10 has a port (“shadow port”) for accessing the shadow cells 100 of the shadow register. The shadow port is a fifth port which is used for transparent initialization and readback of the contents of the entire memory block 10. By using the shadow register, a synchronous snapshot of the contents of all memory storage cells 91 within a memory block 10 may be taken at an arbitrary instant in time so that an internally consistent view of the memory contents may be obtained. The snapshot of the memory contents is accurate and does not suffer from timing problems. The shadow register may also be used to load the memory array synchronously to an initial, predetermined state. Once loaded, the FPGA may start executing from that state forward. Thus, the shadow register is particularly useful for debugging and diagnostics.

[0043] In operation, the content of each memory storage cell 91 can be downloaded into the corresponding shadow cell 100. Each shadow cell 100 is preferably comprised of two inverters, as for each memory storage cell 91. By placing a high level on the Load Shadow enable line 102 which runs to each memory block 10, each shadow cell 100 is loaded with the data from each memory storage cell 91. From there, the data may be read out on the Shadow Data line 112 and Shadow Data Bar line 110 by placing a high level on the Read/Write Shadow line 108. The Shadow Data Bar line is also known as the Shadow Data-line. The transfer circuit 104 causes data to be transferred between the memory storage cell 91 and the shadow cell 100. Since this loading of the shadow register occurs synchronously, a true snapshot of the memory array can be taken accurately. Data is transferred from the shadow register to the shadow data lines 110, 112.

[0044] Each memory storage cell 91 can also be loaded synchronously (with respect to other memory cells) from the shadow register by placing a high level on the Restore Shadow enable line 106 which runs to each memory block 10. Data must have been previously loaded into the shadow register by placing a high level on the Read/Write Shadow line 108 while providing data on the Shadow Data 112 and Shadow Data Bar 110 lines.

[0045] A simple sense amplifier is adequate for reading data off the data line of a read port. FIG. 6 is a circuit schematic of a cascode read sense amplifier 120 used in the preferred embodiment. The read sense amplifier 120 is of a type well-known to designers of static memories. The read sense amplifier 120 receives data from memory on an input line 121. Transistor 124 helps optimize speed of the read sense amplifier by alleviating the effect of large capacitance on the line 121. High capacitance exists on input line 121 because input line 121 is connected to a large number of memory cells. By isolating the capacitance of the input line 121 from the capacitance of the node 123, transistor 124 permits node 123 to switch faster. PMOS transistor 126 has a gate connected to a 3.0 volt reference, a source connected to 5 volts and a drain connected to node 123 of the data line. Transistor 126 provides a current which tends to pull up node 123 to VCC unless the selected memory cell is pulling down on node 122. Since transistor 126 provides only a limited pull up current, any cell which pulls down on node 122 will also pull down node 123 to a low logic level. Transistors connected to the read data lines as shown on FIG. 4 pull the data line down to a low voltage when the memory is read. Other well-known read sense amplifiers may be used alternatively.

[0046] Total of fifteen possible combinations of width/depth options and addresses exist which determine which RAM bits to write. The following table shows how these combinations, represented by fifteen select signals, are derived: Width ADR[2:0] Select Signal 8 XXX S8  4 0XX S40 4 1XX S44 2 00X S20 2 01X S22 2 10X S24 2 11X S26 1 000 S10 1 001 S11 1 010 S12 1 011 S13 1 100 S14 1 101 S15 1 110 S16 1 111 S17

[0047] The width column represents the number of bits per port; the ADR[2:0] signifies how the address bits are used to select which select signal is active; the select signals control which memory cell is used for writing a data bit. For example, if the width option is eight, only select signal S8 is active because all memory bits in a byte will be written to memory (one bit to each cell). For the width=4 option, S40 and S44 will be the only possible active select signals because either the upper four bits or the lower four bits will be written depending on whether the ADR2 address bit is a one or zero. If the ADR2 address bit is a zero, S40 will be active and S44 will be inactive. The select signals are used to control the memory's data lines and, therefore, the memory location to which a data bit will be written.

[0048]FIG. 7 is a table that shows to which memory bit location each input data bit will be written, depending on which select signals are active. The “Source Data Bit #” column signifies the eight bits of a data word which is to be stored into memory. Each Memory Bit column is connected to all memory cells in a column of the memory array. The actual physical implementation of the memory is eight bits wide, even though the memory may be configured into a variety of width/depth options. Select signal S8 is active for an 8 by 128 memory; S40 or S44 for a 4 by 256 memory; S20, S22, S24 or S26 for a 2 by 512 memory; and S10, S11, S12, S13, S14, S15, S16 or S17 for a 1 by 1024 memory.

[0049] For example, if the width=8 option was selected, select signal S8 would be active and the rest of the select signals would be inactive. The data word being written into memory comprises source bits 0-7 where source bit 7 is the most significant bit. In a width=8 memory, source bit 0 would be sent to the column 0 of the memory (and then to a memory cell as selected by the address), source bit 1 to column 1 and so on, with source bit 7 going to column 7. FIG. 8 is a similar table which shows how data being read out of the memory is rearranged. If data is to be read out of a memory which has been configured as a width=8 memory, select signal S8 would be active, causing bits 0-7 to come from columns 0-7 of the memory and arrive as destination data bits 0-7 respectively.

[0050] Turning back to FIG. 7, if a width=4 memory was selected, a data word to be written into memory would comprise source bits 0-3. If the low order bit of the address was a zero, select signal S40 would be active and source bit 0 would go to column 0 of the memory, source bit 1 to column 1, source bit 2 to column 2 and source bit 3 to column 3. If the low order bit of the address was a one, select signal S44 would be active so that source bit 0 would go to column 4 of the memory, source bit 1 to column 5, source bit 2 to column 6 and source bit 3 to column 7. Thus, the physically eight-bit wide memory can be configured as two four-bit wide memories. The same principles of operation apply to a width=2 and width=1 memory. A programmable logic array (PLA) may be used to move data into and out of the memory based on the select signals.

[0051]FIG. 9 is a crosspoint array that may be used to implement the table of FIG. 8. Each crosspoint may comprise a field effect transistor that turns on when any one of the select signals going to the transistor is active. When the transistor conducts, a connection is made between a column of memory cells and the destination data bit. For example, when select signal S40 is active, destination data bits 3, 1, 0 and 2 are connected to columns 3, 1, 0 and 2 of the memory. The crosspoints may also be implemented with other circuits that are well-known in the art.

[0052]FIG. 10 is a circuit schematic of write buffer circuits used to route source data bits to the correct memory bit locations, depending on the selected width/depth configuration as specified in the table of FIG. 7. Eight write buffer circuits 140 are arranged as shown in FIG. 10. Each write buffer circuit receives four of the possible select signals as well as four of the eight possible source data bits D0-D7. The select signals are derived from the width/depth configuration option selected and the lowest three bits of the address as shown previously. The D0-D7 signals are source data signals originating from the user for writing to memory. For example, the leftmost write buffer circuit 140 receives select signals S8, S44, S26 and S17 as well as source data bits D0, D1, D3 and D7. Depending on which select signal is active, a write buffer circuit 140 will route one of its source data bits to the Write Data line 40 and its complement to the Write Data Bar line 86. As a further example, if select signal S26 is active for the leftmost write buffer circuit 140, the write buffer circuit 140 will transfer source data bit D1 to column 7 of the memory (per FIG. 7). Instead, if select signal S44 were active for the leftmost write buffer circuit 140, source data bit D3 will be sent to column 7 of the memory. Hence, the inputs to each write buffer circuit 140 of FIG. 10 matches the entries in the table of FIG. 7.

[0053] The write buffer circuits 140 are arranged in the order shown in FIG. 10 because this arrangement of write buffer circuits minimizes the required interconnect and performs the desired data movement as shown in the table of FIG. 7.

[0054]FIG. 11 is a detailed circuit schematic of one of the write buffer circuits 140 used in FIG. 10. Each write buffer circuit 140 generates the Write Data and Write Data Bar signals of FIG. 4. The write buffer circuit 140 receives four of the select signals and four of the eight source data bits. The particular write buffer circuit 140 selected for illustration in FIG. 11 is the leftmost write buffer circuit 140 of FIG. 10.

[0055] One of the source data bits (D0, D1, D3, D7) is selected by the active select signal (S8, S44, S26 or S17) to pass to line 142 to NOR gate 144. The other input to the NOR gate 144 comes from the output 148 of NOR gate 146. NOR gate 144 sends the selected data bit onto line 150 and onto the Write Data line 40. The output 154 of the NOR gate 152 is used to generate the complementary data bit on Write Data Bar line 86. WPulse signal 160 serves as a master timing signal that controls writing to the memory cells. The generation of WPulse signal 160 is shown in FIG. 2. The WPulse signal 160 causes either the Write Data signal 40 or the Write Data Bar signal 86 to go low assuming one of the select signals is high, thereby causing the data bit selected from the D0-D7 signals to be written into the bit of memory attached to the Write Data and Write Data Bar signals 40, 86 and selected by the remaining address inputs ADR [3:9]. Transistor 162 pulls line 142 up to a logic 1 when all the transistors connected to D0, D1, D3 and D7 are off. The memory blocks 10 may be written to either synchronously via the shadow register or asynchronously via the WPulse 160 signal.

[0056] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of determining the contents of a memory block in a programmable logic device, the method comprising: in the memory block, providing a plurality of memory storage cells and a corresponding plurality of shadow cells; storing data in the plurality of memory storage cells; transferring the data stored in the plurality of memory storage cells to the corresponding plurality of shadow cells; storing the transferred data in the plurality of shadow cells; and reading the data stored in the plurality of shadow cells.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: before storing the data in the plurality of memory storage cells, writing data to at least one of the plurality of memory storage cells.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the transferring of the data is done by a corresponding plurality of transfer circuits.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of memory storage cells comprises a first inverter and a second inverter, an input of the first inverter coupled to an output of the second inverter, an output of the first inverter coupled to an input of the second inverter, and wherein each shadow cell comprises a third inverter and a fourth inverter, an input of the third inverter coupled to an output of the fourth inverter, an output of the third inverter coupled to an input of the fourth inverter.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein each of the plurality of transfer circuits comprises: a first device coupled between a first node and a first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the first inverter; a second device coupled between the first node and the input of the third inverter, having a control node coupled to a control line; a third device coupled between a second node and the first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the second inverter; and a fourth device coupled between the second node and the input of the fourth inverter, having a control node coupled to the control line.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein when the control line is asserted, the data is transferred from the plurality of memory storage cells to the corresponding plurality of shadow cells.
 7. A method of initializing a memory block in a programmable logic device, the method comprising: in the memory block, providing a plurality of shadow cells and a corresponding plurality of memory storage cells; storing data in the plurality of shadow cells; transferring the data stored in the plurality of shadow cells to the corresponding plurality of memory storage cells; and storing the transferred data in the plurality of memory storage cells.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: before storing the data in the plurality of shadow cells, writing data to at least one of the plurality of shadow cells.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the transferring of the data is done by a corresponding plurality of transfer circuits.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of memory storage cells comprises a first inverter and a second inverter, an input of the first inverter coupled to an output of the second inverter, an output of the first inverter coupled to an input of the second inverter, and wherein each shadow cell comprises a third inverter and a fourth inverter, an input of the third inverter coupled to an output of the fourth inverter, an output of the third inverter coupled to an input of the fourth inverter.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of transfer circuits comprises: a first device coupled between a first node and a first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the third inverter; a second device coupled between the first node and the input of the first inverter, having a control node coupled to a control line; a third device coupled between a second node and the first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the fourth inverter; and a fourth device coupled between the second node and the input of the second inverter, having a control node coupled to the control line.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein when the control line is asserted, the data is transferred from the plurality of shadow cells to the corresponding plurality of memory storage cells.
 13. A programmable logic device comprising: a logic element, programmably configurable to implement user-defined combinatorial or registered logic functions; and a memory block to store data, programmably coupled to the logic element, wherein the memory block comprises a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell comprising: a memory storage cell to store a first data bit; a shadow cell to store a second data bit; and a transfer circuit, wherein when a first control line of the transfer circuit is asserted the second bit is transferred from the shadow cell to the memory storage cell, and when a second control line of the transfer circuit is asserted the first bit is transferred from the memory storage cell to the shadow cell.
 14. The programmable logic device of claim 13 wherein the memory block further comprises: a first write buffer to write to the memory storage cell; a first read sense amplifier to read from the memory storage cell; a second write buffer to write to the shadow cell; and a second read sense amplifier to read from the shadow cell.
 15. The programmable logic device of claim 14 wherein the memory storage cell comprises a first inverter and a second inverter, the first inverter to receive an output from the second inverter, the second inverter to receive an output from the first inverter, and wherein the shadow cell comprises a third inverter and a fourth inverter, the third inverter to receive an output from the fourth inverter, the fourth inverter to receive an output from the third inverter.
 16. The programmable logic device of claim 15 wherein the content of the memory storage cell is initialized by writing to the shadow cell with the first write buffer and asserting the first control line.
 17. The programmable logic device of claim 15 wherein the content of the shadow cell is determined by asserting the second control line, and reading the shadow cell with the second read sense amplifier.
 18. The programmable logic device of claim 15 wherein the transfer circuit comprises: a first device coupled between a first node and a first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the first inverter; a second device coupled between the first node and the input of the third inverter, having a control node coupled to the second control line; a third device coupled between a second node and the first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the second inverter; a fourth device coupled between the second node and the input of the fourth inverter, having a control node coupled to the second control line; a fifth device coupled between a third node and a first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the third inverter; a sixth device coupled between the third node and the input of the first inverter, having a control node coupled to the first control line; a seventh device coupled between a fourth node and the first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the fourth inverter; and a eighth device coupled between the fourth node and the input of the second inverter, having a control node coupled to the first control line.
 19. A programmable logic device comprising: a logic element, programmably configurable to implement user-defined combinatorial or registered logic functions; and a memory block to store data, programmably coupled to the logic element, wherein the memory block comprises: a write buffer; a memory storage cell to store data coupled to the write buffer; a transfer circuit coupled to the memory storage cell; a shadow cell to store data coupled to the transfer circuit; and a read sense amplifier coupled to the shadow cell, wherein the transfer circuit selectively transfers data from the memory storage cell to the shadow cell or from the shadow cell to the memory storage cell.
 20. The programmable logic device of claim 19 wherein data is transferred from the shadow cell to the memory cell under control of a first control line, and data is transferred from the memory storage cell to the shadow cell under control of a second control line.
 21. The programmable logic device of claim 20 wherein the content of the memory storage cell is initialized by writing to the shadow cell with the write buffer and asserting the first control line, and wherein the content of the shadow cell is determined by asserting the second control line, and reading the shadow cell with the read sense amplifier.
 22. The programmable logic device of claim 21 wherein the memory storage cell comprises a first inverter and a second inverter, an input of the first inverter coupled to an output of the second inverter, an output of the first inverter coupled to an input of the second inverter, and wherein the shadow cell comprises a third inverter and a fourth inverter, an input of the third inverter coupled to an output of the fourth inverter, an output of the third inverter coupled to an input of the fourth inverter.
 23. The programmable logic device of claim 22 wherein the transfer circuit comprises: a first device coupled between a first node and a first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the first inverter; a second device coupled between the first node and the input of the third inverter, having a control node coupled to the second control line; a third device coupled between a second node and the first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the second inverter; a fourth device coupled between the second node and the input of the fourth inverter, having a control node coupled to the second control line; a fifth device coupled between a third node and a first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the third inverter; a sixth device coupled between the third node and the input of the first inverter, having a control node coupled to the first control line; a seventh device coupled between a fourth node and the first reference voltage, having a control node coupled to the input of the fourth inverter; and a eighth device coupled between the fourth node and the input of the second inverter, having a control node coupled to the first control line.
 24. An integrated circuit comprising: a memory storage cell; a shadow cell; a first transfer device coupled between a first write data port line and the memory storage cell; a second transfer device coupled between a first read data port line and the memory storage cell; a third transfer device coupled between a first shadow data line and the shadow cell; a first device coupled between the shadow cell and a first node; and a second device coupled between the first node and a fixed voltage potential, wherein a control electrode of the second device is coupled to the memory storage cell.
 25. The integrated circuit of claim 24 further comprising: a fourth transfer device coupled between a second write data port line and the memory storage cell.
 26. The integrated circuit of claim 25 wherein the memory storage cell comprises a first inverter and a second inverter, an input of the first inverter coupled to an output of the second inverter, an output of the first inverter coupled to an input of the second inverter, and wherein the shadow cell comprises a third inverter and a fourth inverter, an input of the third inverter coupled to an output of the fourth inverter, an output of the third inverter coupled to an input of the fourth inverter.
 27. The integrated circuit of claim 25 wherein the first shadow data line, the first write data port line, and the second write data port line are different lines.
 28. The integrated circuit of claim 24 wherein data may be written to the memory storage cell using the first write data port line, but data may not be directly written to the shadow cell using the first write data port line.
 29. The integrated circuit of claim 24 wherein data may be written to the shadow cell using the first shadow data line, but data may not be directly written to the memory storage cell using the first shadow data line.
 30. The integrated circuit of claim 24 further comprising: a third device coupled between the memory storage cell and a second node; and a fourth device coupled between the second node and the fixed voltage potential, wherein a control electrode of the fourth device is coupled to the shadow cell.
 31. The integrated circuit of claim 24 wherein the fixed voltage potential is ground.
 32. The integrated circuit of claim 24 wherein the first transfer device, second transfer device, and third transfer devices are NMOS transistors.
 33. The integrated circuit of claim 24 wherein data stored in the memory storage cell cannot be transferred directly to the first shadow data line without first passing through the shadow cell.
 34. An integrated circuit comprising: a memory storage cell; a shadow cell; a first transfer device coupled between a first write data port line and the memory storage cell; a second transfer device coupled between a first read data port line and the memory storage cell; a third transfer device coupled between a first shadow data line and the shadow cell; a first device coupled between the memory storage cell and a first node; and a second device coupled between the first node and a fixed voltage potential, wherein a control electrode of the second device is coupled to the shadow cell.
 35. The integrated circuit of claim 34 further comprising: a fourth transfer device coupled between a second write data port line and the memory storage cell.
 36. The integrated circuit of claim 35 wherein the memory storage cell comprises a first inverter and a second inverter, an input of the first inverter coupled to an output of the second inverter, an output of the first inverter coupled to an input of the second inverter, and wherein the shadow cell comprises a third inverter and a fourth inverter, an input of the third inverter coupled to an output of the fourth inverter, an output of the third inverter coupled to an input of the fourth inverter.
 37. The integrated circuit of claim 35 wherein the first shadow data line, the first write data port line, and the second write data port line are different lines.
 38. The integrated circuit of claim 34 wherein data may be written to the memory storage cell using the first write data port line, but data may not be directly written to the shadow cell using the first write data port line.
 39. The integrated circuit of claim 34 wherein data may be written to the shadow cell using the first shadow data line, but data may not be directly written to the memory storage cell using the first shadow data line.
 40. The integrated circuit of claim 34 further comprising: a third device coupled between the shadow cell and a second node; and a fourth device coupled between the second node and the fixed voltage potential, wherein a control electrode of the fourth transistor is coupled to the memory storage cell.
 41. The integrated circuit of claim 34 wherein the fixed voltage potential is ground.
 42. The integrated circuit of claim 34 wherein the first transfer device, second transfer device, and third transfer devices are NMOS transistors.
 43. The integrated circuit of claim 34 wherein data placed at the first shadow data line cannot be transferred directly to the memory storage cell without passing through the shadow cell.
 44. A memory cell comprising: a first storage cell; a first transfer device coupled between a first data line and the first storage cell; a second storage cell; a second transfer device coupled between a second data line and the second storage cell; and a plurality of devices coupled in series between the first storage cell and a fixed voltage potential, the plurality of devices comprising: a first device; and a second device coupled to the first device, wherein a control electrode of the second device is coupled to the second storage cell.
 45. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the first data line and the second data line are different lines.
 46. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein data placed at the second data line cannot be transferred directly to the first storage cell without passing through the second storage cell.
 47. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the fixed voltage is ground.
 48. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the first storage cell is a shadow cell.
 49. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the second storage cell is a shadow cell.
 50. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the first and second transfer devices are NMOS devices.
 51. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the first device is coupled to the first storage cell.
 52. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the second device is coupled to the fixed voltage potential.
 53. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the first and second devices are NMOS transistors.
 54. The memory cell of claim 44 wherein the first storage device comprises cross-coupled inverters. 